Method of and apparatus for forming decorative bows



Sept. 22, 1959 W. C. RU NYAN METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING DECORATIVE BOWS Filed July 17, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR W15 [bur (lulu 6. V %4J.JW A.

ATTORNEY P 1959 w. c. RUNYAN 2,905,368

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING DECORATIVE BOWS Filed July 17, 195s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 any/M ATTORNEY United States Patent AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING DECORATIVE BGWS 7 Wilbur C. Runyan, Chester, S.C. Application July 17, 1958, Serial No. 749,256

: Claims. (Cl. 223-46) "METHOD or "This invention relates to a'rnethod of and apparatus for forming decorative bows from ribbon.

A primary object of the invention is to'provide a highly 'sirnplified'and economical'meth'od and apparatus for forming higlily decorative bows from weftl'ess ribbon or the like, for use in gift wrapping in stores, and for similar purposes.

A furtherobject'ofthe invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the above-mentioned character which greatly expedites the formation and "completion of the decorative bows, and facilitates-making bows with a high degree of uniformity and accuracy.

' Another object is to provide a method and apparatus of the above-mentioned character which facilitates the making ofd'ecorative bows in various sizes or diameters,

application and'in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout "the'same,

Figure l is a general perspective view of the apparatus 'ernployed in=the practice of the method.

Figure 2 is a'furtherperspective view of' the apparatus showing the same in use during the practice of the method.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section through the adjustable ribbon or 'hank' windingportion of the apparatus.

Figure '4-is a fragmentary perspective'view'on'an enlarged scale of the hank winding means,"and showing the bank of ribbon wound thereon.

Figure 5 is a further fragmentary perspective view of the winding means and hank, illustratin'g'the punching of the hank at its longitudinal center.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of an assembly needle employed in the formation of the bow and illustrating a-step in the method of constructing the bow subsequent to'the winding of the hank.

Figure 7-is a further-perspective view'similar to Figure 6 and illustratinga further step in the methodof con structing the bow.

Figure 8-is a perspective -view of thepartly completed bow after the same is removed from-the assembly needle.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the completed decorative bow.

Figure 10 is a central vertical section through a multilayer bow made in accordance with the invention.

Figure 11 is a side elevation showing the method of as- 'sernbling a multi-layer bow prior to tying the tying ribbon.

In'the-drawings,wherein"for the purpose of illustration 2,905,368 Patented Sept. 22, 1 959 ice 2 is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates a'horizonta'l base plate or support adapted to rest upon a table or the like. Near one end 'of the base plate 10 and adjacent one side thereof, an upright standard 11 is suitably rigidly secured to the base plate 10 and projects above the same. The standard 11 carries a horizontal shaft 12, fixedly secured thereto, and spaced above the base plate 'llland extending transversely thereof at right angles to the standard 11. The shaft '12 is disposed near the top of the standard 11 and is thereby spaced above the base plate 10, as shown. The shaft "'12 is adapted to receive a plurality of rolls 13 or bolts of decorative ribbon, such as the well-known weftless "rib- "bon "commonly employed in the making of decorative bows used in package wrapping and the like. The bolts 13 of ribbon may vary in color and width, as found desirable. Ribbon having a width of one-half inch or threequar'ters of an inch has been found to be most desirable for use in the present apparatus andin the practice of the method. If preferred, a single 'bolt'only of the preferred width and color of ribbon may be mounted upon the shaft 12 for use in making the decorative bows. As many as six or eight bolts 13 of ribbon may be mounted upon the shaft 12 at one time for convenience in having avariety of colors available forimmediate use, if preferred. The ribbon bolts l3 are freely rotatably mounted upon the shaft 12.

Spaced from oneside of the standard 11 and shaft '12 and rigidly mounted upon the base plate 10 generally centrally thereof is a block 1'4, carrying an upstanding vertical bow assembling needle 15, suitably rigidly anchored therein. The needle 15 is provided at its top with an upwardly opening split'eye 16, as shown, for a purpose to be described. Projecting from one side of the block 14 is a plurality of horizontally spaced L -shaped ribbon guide and tensioning elements 1 7, suit-ably rigidly secured to the block 14. Alternate ones ofthe tensioning elements 17 have their transverse extensions projecting upwardly, :and theother alternate elements 17 have their transverse extensions extending downwardly, as shown.

Spaced longitudinally 'beyond t'he block 14 on the base plate Iii, means are proVided to wind sections of ribbon into hanks use'd inthe formationof the decorative bows. This means comprises an upstandingvertical rod 18, rigidly-secured at '19 to'tne base plate 10, and providedat tactwitha-head '23, carried by the forward endoflthe shaft 20. As "shown in the drawingsfthearm .21 extends for a substantially greater distance beyondone side of th'e shaft 10 and beyond its opposite side.

Near and "spaced from one side of the-shaft 20, on the shorter portion'of the arm 21, is a ribbonimpaling andholding needle 24, suitably rigidly secured "to :the arm 21 and extending at right angles thereto and'b'eyond the forward side of the same. Near theend of the shorter side of the arm 21, a first ribbon winding rod :25 ispivotally connected to the arm 21, as 'at and the winding rod 25 extends through a short longitudinal slot :27 in the forward wall of the arm 21, 'as bes't shown in Figure 3. The rod '25 has limited swinging movementwithinthe slot 27,by virtue of its'pivot 26, and a compressible coil spring 28 withinthe'h'ollow arm 21- has .one end engaging the needle24 and: its opposite end engaging the rod 25. Thisspring serves' to hold the rod 25-normally in 'engagement with the outer end of the slot 27, whereby the rod 25 is normally disposed 3 at right angles to the arm 21 and spaced a maximum fixed distance from the shaft upon which the arm 21 is rotatably mounted. The spring 28 allows the arm to be shifted somewhat toward the shaft 20 to facilitate the removal of the ribbon hank, as will be further described.

A second adjustable hank winding rod 29, preferably somewhat longer than the rod 25, arranged upon the other side of the shaft 20 and adjustably carried by the longer portion of the arm 21. The rod 29 has a reduced screw-threaded extension 30, engaging slidably through slots 31, formed in the forward and rear side walls of the arm 21 and extending longitudinally of the arm in its longer portion, as shown. The screw-threaded extension 30 carries a winged nut 32 adjacent to the rear side of the arm 21 for releasably clamping the rod 29 in selected adjusted positions within the longitudinal slots 31. The rod 29 is parallel to the rod 25 and extends forwardly of the arm 21, at right angles thereto. The

rod 29 is adapted to also serve as a handle or crank for turning the arm 21 upon the shaft 20 during the winding of the hank.

The top wall of the arm 21 has a visible measuring scale suitably marked thereon, as shown in the drawings. This measuring scale is divided into two portions, as best shown in Figure 4, which portions of the scale are indicated generally by the numerals 33 and 34. The scale markings or graduations 1, 2, "3 and 4 of the first scale portion 33 are uniformly spaced along the arm 21, with the scale graduation 1 arranged at the axial center of the shaft 20. The other graduations of the scale portion 33 are arranged to the left of the shaft 20 on the longer portion of the arm 21. The scale portion 34 has a further set of scale graduations 1, 2, 3 and "4 spaced apart unequal and gradually increasing distances toward the left hand end of the arm 21. The scale marking l of the scale portion 34 is disposed at the axial center of the arcuate inner end of the slot 31. The scale marking 4 of the scale portion 34 is disposed at the axial center of the other arcuate end of the slot 31.

The arrangement is such that when the adjustable rod 29 is disposed at the extreme inner end of the slots 31, adjacent to the scale marking "1 of the scale portion 34, the numeral 1 of the scale portion 33 designates the exact center of the distance between the hank winding rods 25 and 29. When the rod 29 is adjusted to the scale marking "2 of the scale portion 34, of the numeral 2 of the scale portion 33 will designate the exact center of the distance between the rods 25 and 29. Likewise, when the rod 29 is disposed at the scale marking 3 of the scale portion 34, the numeral 3 of the scale portion 33 will designate the center of the distance between the rods 25 and 29. The rod 29 may be readily locked in position adjacent to any of the scale markings above the slots 31 by manipulation of the winged nut 32. The purpose of the scale portions 33 and 34 will be more apparent as the description of the method proceeds.

The use of the apparatus above-described in the practice of the method may now be described as follows:

A ribbon or ribbons from the bolts 13 is passed under and over the guide and tension elements 17 in the manner shown in Figure 2. In this figure, for the purpose of illustration, a pair of ribbons are shown being extended from a pair of the bolts 13, and passed simultaneously in superposed relation through the ribbon guide and tension elements 17. This pair of ribbons may be a pair of dilferent color, for the purpose of making a decorative bow having alternate loops of different colors. If preferred, a single ribbon only from one of the bolts 13 may be passed through the guide and tensioning elements 17 in the manner illustrated in Figure 2. I

At this -time,it is desirable to cut a section 35 of ribbon of the desired length, such as eight inches, and to place the same within the open eye 16 of the assembling needle 15, :as shown in Figure 2. This cut length of ribbon 35 will be used ultimately to die or bind the completed decorative how.

The leading end of the ribbon or ribbons which have been passed through the guide and tensioning means 17 are now impaled and anchored upon the needle 24 'of the arm 21. This is illustrated in Figure 2. The winding rod 29 is now adjusted to the desired point upon the scale portion 34, and locked in the selected adjusted position. The particular numeral on the scale portion 34 adjacent to which the rod 29 is locked may designate the size number of the decorative bow being made. This size number is merely an arbitrary designation, corresponding to the numerals of the scales on the arm 21. However, the scale numerals provide a convenient way to designate the decorative bows according to size.

The operator now grasps the rod 29 which serves as a crank, and the arm 21 is turned clockwise upon the shaft 20 a desired number of times for winding upon the two rods 25 and 29 a hank 36 of the ribbon, which hank may have any desired number of layers. After completion of the hank 36, Figure 4, the ribbon or ribbons making up the hank are severed between the hank winding means and the tensioning means 17.

As shown in Figure 5, the operator using a small hand punch 36 now punches a small hole, approximately oneeighth of an inch in diameter, entirely through the hank 36 at its exact longitudinal center. The longitudinal center of the hank 36, which is the center of the distance between the rods 25 and 29, is determined at a glance by the use of the scale portions 33 and 34, as abovedescri-bed. In Figure 5, since a number 1 size bow is being constructed, the rod 29 is positioned at the scale marking 1 of the scale portion 34, and the scale marking "1 of the scale portion 33 designates the exact longitudinal center of the hank 36, at which the hole is punched.

After this punching operation, the hank 36 is removed from the rods 25 and 29, and to facilitate this removal, the rod 25 is swung inwardly or toward the rod 29 against the force of the spring 28. This removes the tension on the hank 36 and permits of its ready removal from the rods, without separation of the layers of the hank The removed hank 36 is now passed downwardly over the assembling needle 15, and over the looped top 35 'held with the thumb and forefinger against the base of the needle 15, and the hank 36 with the center loop 37 is slid upwardly and off of the assembling needle 15, the upwardly opening eye 16 permitting of the removal of the tying ribbon 35 from the assembling needle. After removal from the assembling needle 15, the now partially completed bow is shown in Figure 8. Due to holding V the lower ends of the tying ribbon 35 against the base of the needle 15, while the hank 36 and center loop 37 are slid upwardly, the top looped portion 38 of the tying ribbon 35 is now drawn into firm holding engagement with the ribbon 37 constituting the center loop shown in Figure 8.

The several loops 39 constituting the hank 36 are now pivoted upon the tying ribbon 35 and separated, layer after layer, to form a round decorative bow, such as the bow shown in Figure 9. The number of loops 39 on the decorative bow will depend upon the number of 3 loops or windings inthe hank 36, which may be varied as desired. The tying ribbon 35 is now tied in a tight double knot at the bottom of the decorative bow, Figure 9, to firmly hold all of the loops 39 in their proper position and to anchor the decorative center loop 37.

All of the loops 39 of the completed bow are uniform as to size and length. The center loop 37 is accurately centered, and the decorative bow is perfectly symmetrical.

If two ribbons of different colors are simultaneously -do this, it is merely necessary to wind a plurality of separate banks 36 upon the rods 25 and 29and at each winding adjust the rod 29 to a different point or size designation on the scale portion '34. The completed hanks 36 of various lengths are then placed over the assembling needle in superposed relation, and in the same manner above-described, and in conjunction with the same tying loop 35. One or more of the center loops 37 may then be employed in the same manner above-described, and when the hanks are removed from the needle 15 and the loops 40, 41 and 42 of the several superposed hanks are separated, as above-described, the multi-layer decorative bow of Figure 10 will be produced. The individual layers of this bow may be formed in varying colors, as should be obvious in the light of the foregoing description.

7 It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a 'preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts,as well as slight variations in the method steps, may be resorted the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 7 1. A methodof forming 'a'decorative "bow comprising the'ste'ps of holding the end of a length of ribbon'and rotating the held end and winding such length of ribbon to, without-departing from the spirit of the invention or for forming a generally fiat hank having a plurality of ribbon layers, punching a hole through the hank at its longitudinal and transverse centers, looping a tying ribbonover a bow assembling element, passing the assembling element and the looped portion of the tying ribbon through the hole punched in the hank, passing the ends of a center loop forming ribbon through the looped portion of the tying ribbon on one side of the hank, withdrawing the hank, center loop forming ribbon and tying ribbon from the bow assembling element while tensioning the free ends of the tying ribbon and thereby drawing the looped portion of the tying ribbon into'binding engagement with the center loop forming ribbon upon one side of the hank, pivoting the loops forming the hank circumferentially about the tying ribbon to separate them and thereby arranging the loops of the hank in circumferentially spaced relation, and then tying the free ends of the tying ribbon in a knot at the side of the hank remote from the center loop forming ribbon.

"2. A method of forming a decorative bow comprising 'the steps ofholding the end of a length of-ribbon'and rotating the held end and winding such length of ribbon into a hankhaving a plurality of layers forming loops 'at the opposite ends of the hank, said layers and loops being initially in superposed relation, punching-a hole through all of the'layers'of the hank at its'longitudinal and transverse centers, supporting a tying ribbon near its longitudinal center and thereby forming a loop in the tying'ribbon and free ends hanging downwardly 'from the loop; passing the loop of the-tying ribbon through the hole of the hank so that the loop of the tying ribbon is arranged on one side of the hank and said free ends extendbeyo'nd the other side of the hank, passing the ends of a center loop forming ribbon through the loop of the tying ribbon near one side "of the hank,'remo"ving the hank with the tying and center loop forming ribbons from the supporting means while tensioning the free ends of the tying ribbon and thereby drawingsthe loop of the tying ribbon into binding engagement with the ends of the center loop forming ribbon, separating the layers and loops of the hank and arranging them in substantially circumferentially equidistan'tly spaced relation, and then tying the free ends of the tying ribbon in a knot at the side of the hank remote from the center loop forming ribbon. I

3. A method of forming a decorative bow comprising the steps of holding the-ends of lengths of ribbons and rorating the held. ends and winding such lengths of ribbons and forming a plurality of separate hanks of different lengths, each hank having 'a plurality of layers forming loops at the opposite ends of the hank, said layers and loops of each hank being initially superposed, punching ahole'throughall of the layers of each hank substantially at its longitudinal and-transverse centers, supporting a tying ribbon near its longitudinal center and thereby forming a loop in the tying ribbon and free ends hangi-ng beneath the loop, passing the loop of the tying ribbon successively through the holes of the several hanks while the hanks are in superposed relation with their holes in registration, whereby the loop of the tying ribbon is arranged upon one side of the hanks and the free ends of the tying ribbon extend beyond the other side of the hanks, passing the ends of a'cent'er loop forming ribbon through the loop of the tying ribbon near said one side-of the hanks, removing the banks with the tying and center loop forming ribbons from the supporting means while applying tension to the free ends of the ty- "ing' ribbon and thereby drawing the loop of the tying ribbon into "binding engagement with the center p forming ribbon, separating the layers and loops of each hank and arranging themin-substantially circumferentially -'equidistan'tly spaced relation, and then tying the freeends of the tying ribbon in a knot at the side of the hanks remote from the "center loop forming ribbon.

4. A method of forming a multi-colored decorative bow comprising the steps of arranging a plurality of ribbons having di-fiie'rent colors insuperposedrelation, holding'the ends of said ribbons and rotating the held ends and winding such-ribbonsinto ahank having a plurality of layers forming'loops at the opposite ends of the'hank, said -laye'rs and loops being initially in superposed relation and'alternatelayers and loops of the'hank being of different colors, punching a hole through all of the-layers of the'hank at its longitudinalcenter, supporting a tying ribbonnear its longitudinal center "andthereby forming a'loop in thetying ribbon and free ends extending beyond the loop, passing the loop of the tying ribbon through the hole of the'hank so that the loop of the tying ribbon is arranged outwardly of one sideof the hank and said free ends extend beyond the other side of the hank, looping a section of ribbon adapted to form a center loop on the completed'bow through the'loop of th'e tying ribbon, removing the hank with the tying ribbon and said ribbon section from the supporting means for the tyingribbonwhile tensioning the free ends o'f-the tying ribbon-and thereby tightening the loop of the tying ribbon about said ribbon section, separating the multicolored layers andloops of the hank and arranging them in 'circumferentially spaced relation to form the decorative bow with alternate'loops of different colors, and then tying the free ends of the tying ribbon in a knot at the side of the bank remote 'fromsaid'ribbon section.

*5. Apparatus for forming "decorative bows comprising 'rneans to rotatably support ,3. bolt of decorative ribbon, guide and tensioning means arranged near said means and adapted to receive the ribbon drawn from the bolt, a fixed shaft, an arm rotatably mounted upon said shaft, a first hank winding rod secured to said arm to rotate therewith and extending beyond one side thereof, a second hank winding rod adjustably secured to said arm to rotate therewith and shiftable toward and from the first rod and lockable in selected adjusted positions and substantially parallel to the first rod and extending beyond said one side of the arm, an impaling element secured to said arm to rotate with said arm, said impaling element being arranged near said rods and projecting beyond said one side of the arm and adapted to pierce the free end of the ribbon after the same is passed beyond the guide and tensioning means, said arm being turnable to wind the ribbon around the first and second rods to thereby form the ribbon into a hank, means separate from the impaling element to punch a hole through thehank substantially at its longitudinal center, and a fixed bow assembling element having a split eye adapted to receive a cut length of ribbon serving as a tying ribbon and being of a size to be passed through the punch hole of the hank so that the hank may be applied over the tying ribbon prior to manual comple tion of the decorative bow.

6. Apparatus for making decorative bows comprising a support and guide means for a supply of decorative ribbon, a stationary shaft, an arm rotatably mounted upon said shaft, one end of the arm extending beyond 1 one side of the shaft for a greater distance than the distance which its other end extends beyond the other side of the shaft, a first rod carried by said arm near the end thereof which is spaced the shorter distance from said shaft and extending substantially at right angles to the arm and having limited movement toward said shaft, resilient means to resist movement of said rod toward said shaft, said arm having a longitudinal slot in its end portion extending the greater distance from said shaft, a second rod engaging through said slot and being screwthreaded, a nut carried by the screw-threaded rod and engageable with said arm to lock the second rod in selected adjusted positions along the slot, the second rod extending parallel to and spaced from the first rod, and a graduated scale visibly marked upon one side of said arm and including separate scale portions, one scale portion having equidistantly spaced scalegraduations and the first scale graduation being arranged at the axis of said shaft and the other scale graduations of said one scale portion spaced successively further from said shaft, the other scale portion having unequally spaced scale graduations arranged increasingly further apart away from bp said shaft and first scale portion, the first scale graduation of said other scale portion coinciding with the end of said slot nearest said arm. I

7. Apparatus for making decorative bows comprising a holder for bolts of decorative ribbon, guide and tensioning means for the ribbons drawn from said bolts, a fixed bow assembling needle having a split eye at one end thereof adapted to receive the intermediate portion of a tying ribbon and engageable through the opening of a hank of ribbon, a stationary shaft, an arm rotatably mounted upon said shaft and having first and second arm portions extending beyond opposite sides of the shaft, the first arm portion being materially shorter than the second arm portion, said arm having a short longitudinal slot formed in the first arm portion and an elongated longitudinal slot formed in the second arm portion, a first rod pivoted to the first arm portion and engaging swingably through the short slot and adapted to engage the inner and outer ends of the short slot, a spring associated with the arm and engaging the first rod for normally holding it in engagement with the outer end of the short slot, the first rod then being perpendicuvlar to said arm, the first rod shiftable against said spring toward the inner end of the short slot and then being at an angle to said arm, an impaling element carried by the first arm portion inwardly of the first rod, a second rod engaging slidably through the elongated slot of the second arm portion and being adjustable toward and from the first rod, the first and second rods disposed on opposite sides of said shaft, means to releaseably lock the second arm in selected adjusted positions within the elongated slot, and a graduated scale upon said arm serving to designate the length size of a bank of the ribbon wound about said rods and also serving to accurately locate at right angles to said arm and engaging through said short slot and pivoted at one end to the arm so that the first rod is swingable within the short slot between the perpendicular and slightly inclined positions relative to said arm, a spring connected with the first rod for normally holding it at the other end of the short slot and perpendicular to said arm, said arm having an elongated slot upon the other side of said shaft, a second rod arranged substantially parallel to the first rod and engageable siidably through the elongated slot, clamp means for locking the second rod in selected adjusted positions within the elongated slot, an impaling element secured to said arm between the first and second rods and substantially parallel therewith, and a scale visibly marked on said arm and graduated to indicate sizes of decorative bows formed with the apparatus and serving to locate the true center of such bows.

9. Apparatus for forming decorative bows comprising a base plate, an upright supporting member secured to the base plate, a horizontal shaft carried by the top of base plate near one side of the supporting member, ribbon guide and tensioning elements carried by one side of said block and adapted to have the ribbon from said bolts passed under and over them, an upstanding member secured to the base plate beyond the side of the block re mote from said support member, a horizontal shaft carried bythe top of the upstanding member, an arm rotatably mounted intermediate its ends upon the lastnamed shaft, an impaling needle secured to said arm and projecting beyond one side thereof for piercing said ribbon after the same is drawn through said guide and tensioning elements, a first ribbon winding rod substantially fixedly secured to said arm on one side of the secondnamed shaft, a second ribbon winding rod adjustably secured to said arm on the other side of the second-named shaft and substantially parallel to the first rod and shiftable toward and from the same, means to releasably lock said second rod in selected adjusted positions upon said arm, said arm having a visible scale thereon to facilitate positioning the second rod at desired locations upon said arm and for also indicating the center of the distance between the first and second rods when the second rod is at any selected adjusted position, and a stationary bow assembling needle having a split eye to receive the tying ribbon and engageable through the punched hole of a hank of ribbon wound upon said rods.

10. Apparatus for forming decorative bows according to claim 9, and a hand punch for use in punching a hole at the longitudinal center of a hank of ribbon wound about the first and second rods prior to removing the hank therefrom and applying the hank to said assembling needle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Mitchell Oct. 2, 1951 

